Claws And Flaws

~Chapter 8

HARLEY

I entered the cafeteria, I looked straight at where we usually sit but he isn't here yet. Wow, seems like the first time. I usually find him sitting there busy with his phone till he sees me.

It's been a whole month now since I met Asher. I sleep with a smile, I sing in the morning, I skip the stairs and I dance while waiting for the peep sound of Asher's car waiting for me. Is this Asher's doing? I really hope not.

I sigh and just make my way to the table and taking my seat. I took my phone out and decided to get busy with it till he arrives. I started playing a game on my phone. I'll take out my lunch as soon as he arrives.

Few minutes later I checked and still he hasn't make an appearance. I let out a sigh and went back to my phone. That was until the cafeteria went silent. I felt something cold from my head, that's weird. I felt something slide to my forehead until a drop fell on my phone screen. It's white and cold. Ice cream?

I quickly move back with my seat turning to face Felicia, Emily and Janine as they all came into view giving me their evil laughs. They spill the remaining content in their cups on my cloth.

"Yoghurt looks really ugly on you." Emily says. Oh, it was yoghurt.

"I actually thought you were a smart girl. Strangely."

"Yeah we thought." Felicia says.

"To think you could join the popular group. Naha sweetie, it will never happen."

"Yeah, never happen." Felicia repeats again.

"Back to being how dumb you actually are."

"Yeah, we are back to that."

"Shut up Fel."

"Okay." Felicia quickly replies looking down. Janine rolls her eyes and looks back at me.

"I thought you knew a player when you see one." She continues.

"I'm sure I do." I replied back, boldly her. She messed up my cloth which got me angry but I am keeping calm because I might just regret my actions later.

"No sweetie pie, you clearly don't because you always see one but you don't even notice."

"Yeah, I clearly know Klein is a player, who doesn't." I stated.

"Asher, Asher is a player. He is just going to get in your pants then leave you forever, just like a player." She says angrily obviously from my replies.

"No he isn't." I defended. "If he was he wouldn't be with me this long and he would have gotten tired of me." I said being more confident that Asher isn't like the rest. He is different despite knowing how popular and how unpopular I am but still chooses me over the popular group.

"You are really sick." She states shaking her head.

"Yes, I'm sick of your existence." I said clearly annoyed. Wait, I really gave her what she deserves. Wow I gave Janine a comeback. Janine raises up her hand ready to slap me. I shut my eyes and waited for the impact, stupidly.

But got nothing. I slowly open my eyes to find Asher's hand holding Janine's hand up high before it could reach me.

"Don't ever try that f****d up thing again." Asher says.

"Let go of my hand. You're hurting me!" Janine yells painfully. Asher slowly let's go of her hand. She hisses and glares at us while rubbing her wrist. She turns and leaves the cafeteria doors.

"Let's go. I have spare clothes for you to change in." I nodded and got up, looking at my clothes yet again.

***

I fasten my seatbelt. Then let out a sigh.

"I can't wait to get home." I said tiredly.

"We are not going home yet sweet cake." He says then turns the car the opposite direction of the way he usually takes to my house..

***

"Here we are." He says, turning the engine off. I set up properly to look out the window. He has been driving for almost thirty minutes now. I let out a yawn and rub my eyes. We were covered with trees. It's was just a free road but no houses only trees. It was a Forest.

"What are we doing here?"

"I just want us to get to know each other better with no distractions." He says, smiling at me. I couldn't help but smile back. "Come on out." He says and comes out the car, I follow after.

He was by the boot of the car. I went there to help but he only brought a picnic blanket to lay on. "I'm sorry, I never prepared for this." He says. "Hopefully next time."

"Next time." I nodded. He closes the boot and holds my hand with his free hand then leads me to the trees as we pass quite a lot of them.

After few minutes we finally reached a stop. It wasn't that big of a space but enough for like maximum four people. It was covered with trees surrounding us in a circle. It was soundless and peaceful.

He lays the blanket on the ground. He then sits and patted the space next to him for me to join. I went ahead and set next to him. He moves closer to me and rested his arm on my shoulder then suddenly lays down. I turned to him a bit lost with his actions. Asher was making me a kind of way I couldn't explain. But we are just friends right?

"Lay with me." He smiles. I shrugged and lay next to him with my head resting on his muscle. I make myself comfortable. We finally stay relaxed as we watch the stars above us. After few seconds, he lets out a sigh. I decided its the right timing to ask.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked. He turns his head to my direction.

"This place gives me peace. Peace is the word most people can't seem to find,  isn't it?"

"Yeah this place itself should be named peace. But that doesn't answer my question."

"I felt like this is the kind of place you have been searching for." He says. He isn't wrong. I did need a place without my mum around, without the neighbors chaos and a place to think peacefully.

"Thanks." I said, smiling.

"For what?"

"For knowing what I really need and for finding this place for me."

"Anything for a friend." He says, we both chuckle. After a few moment of silence. "Harley?" He calls. It must be serious since he hardly calls me by my name.

"Yeah?"

"I don't want us to be just friends."

"What do you mean?"

"I-" he was cut off by his phone ringing. "A minute." He got up and moved a bit far away from me as he answers the call.  Few minutes later, he comes back.

"We have to start going. It's urgent." He says emotionless. I looked at him confused.

"Is something wrong?"

"I don't know." He says. I quickly got up and he quickly folds the blanket and we start walking our way back to the car in silence.

***

"Thanks for the peace." I said, we both lightly chuckle.

"Hope you can find your way there in time of need."

"Obviously with your help." I said then slowly moved back from the car as he starts the engine. "Bye!" I smiled waving at him.

"Bye sweet cake!!" He then speed off.

I kept the smile on my face as I turn and walked to the door.

I got in bed and was ready to sleep when my phone buzz. I wonder who would be disturbing at this time. I took my phone and switch it on. A strange number got to my screen. I looked at it confused. I tap on it to view the message then read it.

Good night, sweet cake.

Me: Good night Asher, had a lovely day:)

I waited for his reply till I fell asleep.